6 Things You Must Do if a New Pet is on Your Child's Wish List
Medical Director, Dr. Elizabeth Welch, provides a few suggestions for those looking to expand their family with a new fur baby this Christmas.
- 2 mins.
- Posted by Stand For Animals Staff
- Veterinary Care
*Originally featured on MomsCharlotte on Dec 6.
Dr. Elizabeth Welch, Medical Director for Spay Neuter Charlotte, knows that when taken care of properly, a new pet can be great addition to the family during the holidays. But to make the transition easy on parents, children and the pets themselves, she has a few suggestions for anyone with a new puppy, kitten, dog or cat on their list.
1. Have the animal examined by a veterinarian on before giving the children the animal. This ensures the animal is healthy from infectious diseases and free of parasites (intestinal and external) that can be passed on to children.
2. Be sure your new pet is beginning his vaccinations and is on heartworm and flea prevention. New pets should begin their vaccinations as soon as six to eight weeks of age. They should get their regular vaccines at 14-16 weeks of age.
3. If you adopt a dog, set up for obedience training to help them with their behavior.
4. You want them on a well-balanced diet. Your veterinarian can make suggestions as to which food to buy.
5. Always have plenty of toys for your new pet to play with so they leave the socks and shoes of kids alone. These things can become objects that dogs eat and then they get stuck and have to have surgically removed. In addition, during the holiday season be sure to keep up all poinsettias, chocolate, turkey and chicken bones away from dogs and cats, as these are toxic and can cause major illnesses.
6. Have your pet spay or neutered as soon as it’s time. This is best not only to prevent unwanted litters of animals but it’s also beneficial for the long-term health of your pet. Spay Neuter Charlotte recommends pets have their spay neuter surgery at three pounds or three months. Dr. Welch highly recommends your pet be fixed before six months of age. The earlier the better for the lifetime health of your pet.
Spay Neuter Charlotte has two locations, with the new NoDa clinic opening at the end of December. Their third location, in Lake Norman, is scheduled to open in January 2017. They are currently running a holiday special: $65 for dogs and $35 for cats.
For more information, visit www.spayneutercharlotte.org or call 704.970.2711.
-Dr. Welch, Medical Director